in other words, his representations have some influence with his customers.  He avails himself of this circumstance, and thus acquires the habit of lying; but, as he is studious to conceal it, he becomes wary, ingenious, and cunning.  It is thus that the Phenicians, the Carthagenians, the Dutch, the Chinese, the New-Englanders, and the modern Greeks, have always been regarded as inclined to petty frauds by their less commercial neighbours.”  I mentioned the English nation.

“If the English,” said he, interrupting me, “who are the most commercial people of modern times, have not acquired the same character, it is because they are as distinguished for other things as for traffic:  they are not merely a commercial people—­they are also agricultural, warlike, and literary; and thus the natural tendencies of commerce are mutually counteracted.”

We afterwards descended slowly; the prospect beneath us becoming more beautiful than my humble pen can hope to describe, or will even attempt to portray.  In a short time after, we were in sight of Venezuela.  We met with the trade-winds, and were carried by them forty or fifty miles inland, where, with some difficulty, and even danger, we landed.  The Brahmin and myself remained together two days, and parted—­he to explore the Andes, to obtain additional light on the subject of his hypothesis, and I, on the wings of impatience, to visit once more my long-deserted family and friends.  But before our separation, I assisted my friend in concealing our aerial vessel, and received a promise from him to visit, and perhaps spend with me the evening of his life.  Of my journey home, little remains to be said.  From the citizens of Colombia, I experienced kindness and attention, and means of conveyance to Caraccas; where, embarking on board the brig Juno, captain Withers, I once more set foot in New York, on the 18th of August, 1826, after an absence of four years, resolved, for the rest of my life, to travel only in books, and persuaded, from experience, that the satisfaction which the wanderer gains from actually beholding the wonders and curiosities of distant climes, is dearly bought by the sacrifice of all the comforts and delights of home.

THE END.

* * * * *

APPENDIX

Anonymous Review of A Voyage to the Moon

Reprinted from the American Quarterly Review No. 5 (March 1828), 61-88.

ART.  III.—­A Voyage to the Moon:  with some account of the Manners and Customs, Science and Philosophy, of the People of Morosofia and other Lunarians:  By JOSEPH ATTERLEY.  New-York:  Elam Bliss, 1827. 12mo. pp. 264.